Indian security guard misfires in record run

India's Samaresh Jung failed in his bid for six golds.Photo: Rebecca Hallas

It went to a shoot-off, and even then there were only millimetres in it.

But then, millimetres are always the difference between winning and making up the numbers in pistol shooting.

Yesterday they cost Indian security guard Samaresh Jung a shot at becoming the single most successful competitor in Commonwealth Games history.

The chance is not totally lost. Gold today in the 25 metres standard pistol event will enable him to draw level with Australian swimmers Ian Thorpe and Susie O'Neill on six gold as the most successful athletes at a single Games' event.

Yesterday he added a bronze to the five gold and one silver in his suitcase after being the first competitor eliminated following a three-way tie for gold in the 25 metres centre-fire pistol.

Jung, a beefy 35-year-old from New Delhi, sacrificed an early lead to join eventual gold medallist Shaw Ming On, of Singapore, and New Zealander Gregory Yelavich on 578 points.

In the shoot-off, carrying the expectations of the media thronged at his back and his growing fan base in India, he scored 47 of a possible 50. Both his opponents shot 48.

Jung briefly shook and bowed his head as the scores were announced. He later said the gold medal record loomed in his mind before the final. But asked how important it was to him to break or match it, he mumbled: "Not very much".

"I think my shooting was not very good today. I didn't feel very good, so I could have improved a couple of points there," he said.

Should Jung be successful today, he will make an unlikely record holder next to Thorpe and O'Neill, who won six gold in Manchester in 2002 and Kuala Lumpur in 1998 respectively.

Compared with Thorpe, the Indian is 12 years older, 25 centimetres shorter and 12 kilograms heavier. Where Thorpe has multiple endorsements, Jung is set to collect a $31,000 government prize on his return home.

Unlike Thorpe and O'Neill, Jung has never competed at the Olympics.

He showed his ability at Manchester, winning five medals, including two gold. In Melbourne he was joined on the dais by his wife, Anuja, who won gold and silver in her rifle events.

India's Gagan Narang and Abhinav Bindra took gold and silver in the men's 50-metre rifle three positions final yesterday, while Australia's Ben Burge claimed the bronze medal.